King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 7:20 Mean?

Jeremiah 7:20 in the King James Version says “Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upo... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.

Jeremiah 7:20 · KJV


Context

18

The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. queen: or, frame, or, workmanship of heaven

19

Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces?

20

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched.

21

Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh.

22

For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: concerning: Heb. concerning the matter of


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Lord GOD declares He will pour out His anger 'upon this place' (Jerusalem), affecting comprehensively: 'upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground.' This total judgment extends beyond humans to animals, vegetation, and crops. The final phrase 'it shall burn, and shall not be quenched' uses fire imagery for unstoppable judgment. This cosmic scope of judgment reflects Genesis 3's curse—human sin affects all creation. Romans 8:20-22 explains that creation groans under the curse of human rebellion. Reformed theology sees this as demonstrating sin's far-reaching consequences and God's comprehensive judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The Babylonian conquest devastated not just Jerusalem's population but also agriculture, livestock, and the land itself. Prolonged siege, warfare, and depopulation left the land desolate.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does human sin affect the broader creation beyond just people?
  2. What does the comprehensiveness of judgment teach about the seriousness of covenant breaking?
  3. How should awareness of sin's cosmic effects shape environmental and ecological perspectives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
לָכֵ֞ן1 of 25
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

כֹּה2 of 25
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֣ר׀3 of 25

Therefore thus saith

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 25

the Lord

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִֹ֗ה5 of 25

GOD

H3069

god

הִנֵּ֨ה6 of 25
H2009

lo!

אַפִּ֤י7 of 25

Behold mine anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וַֽחֲמָתִי֙8 of 25

and my fury

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

נִתֶּ֙כֶת֙9 of 25

shall be poured out

H5413

to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify

אֶל10 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמָּק֣וֹם11 of 25

upon this place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַזֶּ֔ה12 of 25
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

עַל13 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָֽאָדָם֙14 of 25

upon man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְעַל15 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה16 of 25

and upon beast

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

וְעַל17 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

עֵ֥ץ18 of 25

and upon the trees

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

הַשָּׂדֶ֖ה19 of 25

of the field

H7704

a field (as flat)

וְעַל20 of 25
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּרִ֣י21 of 25

and upon the fruit

H6529

fruit (literally or figuratively)

הָֽאֲדָמָ֑ה22 of 25

of the ground

H127

soil (from its general redness)

וּבָעֲרָ֖ה23 of 25

and it shall burn

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

וְלֹ֥א24 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִכְבֶּֽה׃25 of 25

and shall not be quenched

H3518

to expire or (causatively) to extinguish (fire, light, anger)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 7:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 7:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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